Roy Buchanan

Roy Buchanan (September 23, 1939 - August 14, 1988) was an American guitarist and blues musician, and was considered a soulful master of the electric guitar.

Recording career

His groundbreaking 1962 cut with drummer Bobby Gregg, "Potato Peeler", first introduced the trademark Buchanan harmonics. In the mid-'60's, exhausted by life on the road, Roy settled down in the Washington, DC area, playing as a sideman before starting his own group, The Snakestretchers.

Related Topics:
Bobby Gregg - Washington, DC - The Snakestretchers

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In 1971, already riding on word-of-mouth reputation that included accolades from John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Merle Haggard, and an invitation to join the Rolling Stones, Buchanan became famous nationally as the result of an hour-long Public broadcasting television documentary. Entitled "The Best Unknown Guitarist In The World", the show won Roy a contract with Polydor and began a decade of national and international touring. He cut five albums for Polydor (one went gold) and three for Atlantic Records (one gold), while playing virtually every major rock concert hall and festival. The major labels gave him fame and fortune, but no artistic freedom. Finally, disgusted with the over-production forced on his music, Buchanan quit recording in 1981, vowing never to enter a studio again unless he could record his own music his own way.

Related Topics:
John Lennon - Eric Clapton - Merle Haggard - Rolling Stones - Public broadcasting - Television - Polydor - Atlantic Records

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Four years later, Buchanan was coaxed back into the studio by Alligator Records. His first album for Alligator, When a Guitar Plays The Blues, was released in the spring of 1985. It was the first time he was given total artistic freedom in the studio; it was also his first true blues album. Fans quickly responded, and the album entered Billboard's pop charts with a bullet and remained on the charts for 13 weeks. Music critics, as well as fans, applauded Roy's efforts with accolades and plenty of four star reviews.

Related Topics:
Alligator Records - When a Guitar Plays The Blues - Billboard

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His second Alligator LP, Dancing on the Edge, was released in the fall of 1986. The album, featuring a generous dose of Buchanan's trademark guitar pyrotechnics and three cuts with special guest, rock'n'soul vocalist Delbert McClinton, won the College Media Journal Award for Best Blues Album of 1986.

Related Topics:
Delbert McClinton - College Media Journal Award for Best Blues Album

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He released the twelfth LP of his career and his third for Alligator, Hot Wires, in 1987. In addition to Donald Kinsey (formerly with Albert King and Bob Marley), keyboardist Stan Szelest, and seasoned studio greats Larry Exum (bass) and Morris Jennings (drums), this classic album includes guest vocals by veteran soul singer Johnny Sayles and one of Chicago's outstanding female blues belters, Kanika Kress.

Related Topics:
Donald Kinsey - Albert King - Bob Marley - Stan Szelest - Larry Exum - Morris Jennings - Johnny Sayles - Kanika Kress

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